Zazzy1 Loc: Northern Ca.

My suggestion is to strengthen your core. Keep your spine in neutral at all times, use your legs to squat rather than bending over.
Hope that will help.

ph0t0bug

So sorry you're going through that. Been there, done that. I had 2 yrs thearapy, tens unit twice a day and walk, walk, walk and am happy to say fine now. Water thearapy seemed to help most. I always thought a golf bag or something with wheels for the tripod might help. Hang in there, it'll get better. Today I can carry the tripod, bend, squatt, etc. Had to follow the dr's orders exacyly to get there, though.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

What is water therapy?

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Thanks for the information. These shoes look ridiculous but do they really work? Do you wear them all the time? Is that funky heal stable? How long do these expensive shoes last?

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I, too, have back problems. I find that if I do crunches (not situps) it helps. A strong stomach muscle system helps my weak back. Takes some time to achieve this, but well worth it for me. Tend to get lazy, then back pain comes back. DJT

cocobolo Loc: East Coast, Canada

Sorry to hear about you back problems. Having a poor back myself I can imagine the pain and the difficulties you face in doing what used to be simple and painless operations.

I tried to address the problem by buying several cheap back support belts, but found them to be of little real help. Then I was recommended by my doctor to go to a sports therapist who sold a particular line of sports injury support equipment. I was introduced to the Bledsoe Belt and it has been a total success for me. It is fully adjustable and can be worn either under or over clothing and easily cinched up for extra support when you have to bend over and lift. You decide the level of support you require and the adjustment is simple.

I hasten to add that I do not work for this company or have any prospect of financial gain from pointing you in the direction of their website - this is simply my advice as a user. Have a look here:
http://www.bledsoebrace.com/pdf/Volare.pdf

I have no idea where you are located but I'm sure you could track this or a similar belt down and give it a try. This belt is not particularly cheap, but if it helps you get back to a more normal life free from pain, then I would think it's worth it. You may also be covered by health insurance, as I was, in which case the cost was covered.

I really hope this helps, cobbm, as I know it is no fun to have back pain.

Good luck.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Why not try a micro 4/3 camera.

shmopsi

I am new to this forum, but your back problem hit home for me and I wanted to offer yet another alternative to look in to. Go to www.egoscue.com. They actually saved my wife with a fully herniated disc from major back surgery. Pete Egoscue created this method of exercise and has many clinics here in the US and also a couple in Japan. His first book, "Pain Free" has most all of the exercises in it, but you can also connect with the company directly (if there isn't a clinic in your area) as they also offer Skype appointments. The clinic will tailor the exercises to your specific problem area. Hope you are able to find some relief, everyone has had great suggestions.

ph0t0bug

Water therapy is very gentle excercises done in the pool at the fitness center. My doctor sent me there with instructions for the therapist,who assisted me until I was able to do them on my own. I did excercises I could never have done without pain out of the water.

DrMidnight Loc: Canada

I can certainly sympathize with your plight. I am slowly recovering from my third back surgery and have a similar problem with anything that requires bending forward for even the briefest of time. I use a Cotton Carrier (tm) for carrying my camera while hiking. To recuperate after a photo session I rely on exercises from the book "Pain Free".

Jamers Loc: Michigan

I can relate to your problems as being a post surgical back patient myself, as well as being in the health care field. It "appears" you are experiencing positional stress/fatigued reactions. This can be associated with climatic changes, mental stress, and muscular over-use. Other factors such as a too hard/too soft mattress, broken down easy chair offering no support to your spine. "DRY" heat will aggravate your symptoms..."MOIST" heat is far superior in helping to relieve muscular spasms. Be cautious with over the counter (otc) anti inflammatory medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist (no this is not a commercial), and tell them what medication you are on for other aliments. Be advised, other more serious conditions can demonstrate symptoms in your spine.
What do I do?? When symptoms show signs of getting worse, I wear a back support to help take the demands off my spinal muscles, and receive regular spinal adjustments from a "traditional conservative" chiropractor. Its works for me, (your results may vary), this is just my observation from what you are telling us, and not giving you a clinical diagnosis.

Imaginenation Loc: Ohio

Hi there,
First off I know your pain. I was on a morphine dirivative 3 times a day. I made appointments with over 10 different doctors, some neurosurgeons, some orthopeidic and all had said there was not much they could do and just live with it. Wrong answer. I continued my quest by talking to people and finally went to a pain management clinic, who prescribed the morphine. Then I went to another recommended orthopoedic guy who said he could operate with a 75% chance of me being better. I signed up, gave blood and awaited the date for surgery. Then I ran across a lady, who said she had good results with a Dr at University Hospital in Cleveland, by the name of Dr. Marsolais. I called him, brought in my MRI scans and xrays and he said he could help me and to cancel surgery. I did and with specific exercises and "facet block" injections, now about every 18 months, knock on wood I am doing well. I guess what I am trying to tell you is... DO NOT GIVE UP...see other doctors, go to pain clinics and try and exercise in the right way. I find that the best thing that helps me is 20 minutes on a stationary bike, that has a back you can lean against and pedal away at least 3X per week. The other thing is get FITTED for a back support system (looks like a girdle) that has about 1/2 to 3/4 inch flat metal bars about 10 inches long that you insert in it to keep you straight, that helps as well, because I am the same way, I cannot bend forward for any length of time. If you would like to discuss, e-mail me back (ktl0654@sbcglobal.net) and I will try and help however I can. I have been struggling with a bad back for 15 years or more and I am thus far doing pretty well.

ggttc Loc: TN

Have one of these made by Ortholign...the product of riding too many horses that were having a bad day...a little bulky but many ways to adjust...definetly keeps your back straight or you cant breathe...just a thought...has always worked well for me...you can find some on ebay...this one is listed for 154.00

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Know your pain. I just recently had back surgery. I use a small dove hunters stool. Light weight but very strong. A monopod also helps. While trying no to carry to much gear.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Try to avoid getting chilled, even for a short time. It stiffens the muscles. I find long hot baths help, as long as you are careful not to overdo it when you feel your back loosening up.

If it is playing up at night, try sleeping in the foetal position (it works for me, anyway).